Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis in Sahiwal cattle from an organized farm using ante-mortem techniques

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) and detection of Mycobacterium bovis in cattle from an organized dairy farm.

Materials and methods: A total of 121 animals (93 females and 28 males) of 1 year and above were studied for the prevalence of bovine TB using single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test, bovine gamma-interferon (γ-IFN) enzyme immunoassay, and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).

Results: Out of total 121 animals, 17 (14.04%) animals were positive reactors to SICCT test while only one (0.82%) animal for γ-IFN assay. By PCR, Mycobacterium TB complex was detected in 19 (15.70%) animals out of which 4 (3.30%) animal were also positive for M. bovis.

Conclusions: Diagnosis of bovine TB can be done in early stage in live animals with multiple approaches like skin test followed by a molecular technique like PCR which showed promising results.

Keywords: Mycobacterium bovis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex; bovine gamma interferon assay; bovine tuberculosis; polymerase chain reaction; single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test.

Figure-1

Amplification of DNA from the samples using INS1/INS2 primers and JB21/JB22 (M: 100 bp plus molecular weight marker, L1: Negative control, L2: Positive control for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), L11: Positive control for Mycobacterium bovis, L3 and L4: Samples positive for MTC, L7, L8 and L10: Samples positive for M. bovis, L5, L6 and L9: Samples negative).